Hazard Flashing Lights When Approaching Left Turning Vehicles?

[wildbears]

Sooooo,

When riding at speed, do you use your hazard flashing lights when approaching a vehicle waiting/preparing to turn left?

Why or why not?

[802Mike]

No.... I have Clearwater Ericas with amber lenses, they better see me coming!
Besides, the little flashing lights would hardly be seen over the other ones.
I run the Ericas @ 20%.

[allikanbe]

No, i don't. I think any signal like that from me could make the turning car think I'm giving him the OK to turn. Someone previously said that they, on the bike, flash their hi beam to let the turning car see them. Bad idea for the same reason. Ymmv

[Lee]

No.... I have Clearwater Ericas with amber lenses, they better see me coming!
Besides, the little flashing lights would hardly be seen over the other ones.
I run the Ericas @ 20%.

Not long after getting my Clearwater lights on my 2016 RS I was exiting I35 near the shop and I had to break hard for a car that crossed the exit way too close to me (It's a strange exit)

I still ride like I'm invisible.

For the left turner I think shifting left and right in my lane helps to make me more noticeable.

[802Mike]

That also.

[Pittsdriverwes]

I put a retina damaging amount of lumens on the front of my GS. Hard to miss this:

[Doctor350]

Flashing lights etc would only serve to cause confusion to other road users in my opinion.

I hate it when I'm riding and come upon a car I want to pass and while I'm sizing up an opportunity the car driver indicates like he's telling me it's safe to pass, but to me that could be them indicating that they are about to turn. I will never pass in this case.

Plus I've got a K1300R, how dare they think that I need them to tell me when it's OK to pass. I've got power to pass them whenever I feel like it.

I also like Lee's response - "I still ride like I'm invisible".

[justjoe]

In some states, using the hazards lights while driving is illegal. In general, and most other drivers recognize, that hazard lights are typically reserved for actual hazardous driving/riding conditions such as breakdowns, changing tires, accidents, traffic stopping on the highway, funeral processions, and the like. Using them in a non-conventional way will only confuse most drivers and most of them are completely confused by motorcycles in the first place.

There is some great advice found here. Drive like you are invisible. Use multiple sets of lights. If someone cuts you off shoot out their windows. Stuff like that is way more effective.

[802Mike]

"Most state laws allow the driver of a truck, bus, or tractor-trailer to use hazard lights when going of a steep hill or under other conditions when the vehicle cannot keep up with the flow of traffic. The driver of a car may not have the same privilege."

[Lee]

A slower than normal vehicle is allowed to use it's flashers.

[Loggiebone]

[cabnfvr]

Nope. I'd be afraid I'd just confuse a vehicle that is already planning a turn in front us. I don't flash the lights either. Same reason.

[955i]

Ride like you're invisible? Two of us were talking to two 20'ish guys who felt comfortable on bikes that were plenty fast. I repeated the "invisible" advice. They were surprised when my friend said that when he rides he imagines that every other driver CAN see him . . . and is intentionally trying to kill him.

I thought that was great advice. Put yourself in positions on the road where people can't kill you easily. I still cherish this advice 30 years later.